2006 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE power steering

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At
temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have an
internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This will
prevent operation of the engine coolant heater when
the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as noted on
the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment, near the power steering uid
reservoir.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
2-31

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
C. Cargo/Top-Box Lamps Button. SeeExterior Cargo
Lamps on page 3-19.
D. Automatic Transfer Case Buttons (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-35.
E. OnStar
®and Radio Steering Wheel Buttons (If
Equipped). SeeOnStar®System on page 2-57and
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-112.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
G. Shift Lever/Tow/Haul Selector Button. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-32andTow/Haul
Mode on page 2-35.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-70.
I. Dome Override Button. SeeDome Lamp Override
on page 3-20.
J. Fog Lamps Button. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-17.K. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-12.
M. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
N. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-49.
O. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-40.
P. Climate Control System. SeeDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-24orDual
Climate Control System on page 3-22.
Q. Lighter (If Equipped) or Accessory Power Outlet
(If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-21andAccessory Power Outlet(s) on
page 3-21.
R. Accessory Power Outlet (If Equipped). See
Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-21.
S. StabiliTrak
®Button. SeeStabiliTrak®System on
page 4-9.
T. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-63.
3-5

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp
curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the sudden
acceleration can demand too much of those places. You
can lose control. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-9.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
4-12

Approaching a Hill
When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it is
one of those hills that is just too steep to climb, descend,
or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge. On a very
small hill, for example, there may be a smooth, constant
incline with only a small change in elevation where
you can easily see all the way to the top. On a large hill,
the incline may get steeper as you near the top, but
you may not see this because the crest of the hill
is hidden by bushes, grass, or shrubs.
Here are some other things to consider as you approach
a hill.
Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get
sharply steeper in places?
Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the
surface cause tire slipping?
Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you
will not have to make turning maneuvers?
Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your
path, such as boulders, trees, logs, or ruts?
What is beyond the hill? Is there a cliff, an
embankment, a drop-off, a fence? Get out and walk
the hill if you do not know. It is the smart way to
nd out.
Is the hill simply too rough? Steep hills often have
ruts, gullies, troughs, and exposed rocks because
they are more susceptible to the effects of erosion.
Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you
need to take some special steps.
Use a low gear and get a rm grip on the steering
wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain
your speed. Do not use more power than you
need, because you do not want your wheels to start
spinning or sliding.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible. If
the path twists and turns, you might want to nd
another route.
{CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide
sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When driving up
hills, always try to go straight up.
4-22

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-11
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-21
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-23
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Engine Coolant.............................................5-28
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-30
Engine Overheating.......................................5-30Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-32
Cooling System............................................5-32
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-38
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40
Brakes........................................................5-41
Battery........................................................5-44
Jump Starting...............................................5-45
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-52
Front Axle......................................................5-53
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-54
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-54
Headlamps..................................................5-55
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-57
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps.............................5-59
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................5-61
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-61
License Plate Lamp......................................5-62
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-63
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-63
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-32andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-30.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
F. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-25.
G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 5-45.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Out of View). See
Power Steering Fluid on page 5-39.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-41.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-117.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-44.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
5-15

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System on page 5-32andCoolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap on page 5-30.
C. Air Filter Restriction Indicator (If Equipped). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-25.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
G. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (GND). SeeJump
Starting on page 5-45.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-45.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-39.
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-41.
L. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-117.
M. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-44.
N. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-40.
5-17

Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the uid level on
the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough uid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-39